Tevez grabbed three goals in City’s 5-0 FA Cup win over Championship side Barnsley on Saturday in his first appearances since he was arrested on suspicion of driving while disqualified.

And Lescott is unsurprised by the ex-Manchester United striker's ability to perform on the pitch, despite off-field issues.

He told the club’s official website: "His performance doesn't surprise me, to be honest. He has been our most consistent player since I joined the club.

"In his first two years he carried the team on his back. We won a lot of games by one goal, and that was down to Carlos - when he plays like that he is unplayable."

The England international also revealed watching his old side Everton get knocked out earlier in the day against Wigan made his current side focus more on getting through - where they are aiming to repeat their FA Cup success of 2011.

He added: "We knew it would be tough, but we had all watched the game earlier. Everyone predicted an Everton win, but Wigan surprised most people.

"We didn't want that to happen to us so we had to put in a professional performance.

"The manager set our stall out before we even travelled to the stadium, saying that if we were professional and played in the right way it would be hard for Barnsley to create many chances. From the get-go we proved that, and made it hard.

"Now we are at the business end of the competition and it's not about keeping clean sheets but winning games. We need to win the next two, and we have our name on the cup again."